Question

How can I get my 5 month old son on a better sleep schedule?

My son is 5, almost 6, months old. His sleep schedule is a wreck and I need to know how to fix it! He usually goes to bed around 9 every night and wakes up at around midnight, then 3 and then 5 every night. His final waking time is 6. Then he usually goes down for a nap around 7:30 or 8. He has about a 15-30 minute nap every few hours. He doesn't usually sleep more than 10 hours in the whole 24 hour period. Is this normal? How can I get him to sleep longer at night and have a few normal naps during the day? I need help! Also, he can't self soothe. He has to be rocked to sleep or he cries for hours on end. Help me!

Mom Answers

I keep my son up for awhile during the day, let him take a few 1-2hours naps and DO NOT let him sleep after 6pm, his bedtime is around 9 sometimes earlier. At around 7 or so I give him a bath and play with him, then feed him and is in bed by 9 or earlier and sleeps until 6 or 7. He does not self soothe either. You might try putting a nightlight in his room where he can see pretty good. Since we done that to our sons room, if he wakes up he goes right back to sleep but I think the darkness scared him. But you can try that, and make sure you feed the baby right before bed so he dont go to bed hungry.

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